by Rae Hilhorst

I Failed at Football

I failed my friends over football, seasons nearly over

This last football quarter season I haven’t watched any and here’s why

I don’t enjoy the verbal slings, the culture, the controversy, especially the controversy

I don’t enjoy the ribbing, however well placed the other side think it is

I don’t enjoy the friendly fire, not terribly convincing

I don’t care which side wins whether it be the Eagles or the Dockers

I bought a Dockers membership two years in a row, thinking it’s got to get better, Michael said I wouldn’t be able to get an Eagles membership (I am a Docker’s fan, he isn’t) and that is why I bought Dockers membership.

Something we could do together that didn’t involve four wheels, or sitting inside a filthy garage, alas no, such a waste.

Respect

These footballers are someone’s son, fathers, brother, sister, uncle

Flipping Kylie who sat behind us ruined it for me

That flipping Kylie and her negative behaviour did me in

That flipping Kylie who kept me informed as garbage (words) fell out of her mouth

That flipping Kylie who gives a serve to the umpires the players the opposition

That flipping Kylie who educated us on her life’s goings on, constantly

Whether you wanted to be informed or not, the earplugs didn’t help much either

Culture

I’m not comfortable with the football culture, it’s just not in me

Many times I have to hear and wear over and over again, “Well we have a trophy and you don’t”.

Whatever

Banter’s not for me, makes me feel stupid

There’s a hint I don’t belong

Young sports men held up on a pedestal their bodies paraded

No space no time no privacy

We pick we criticise we glorify

We give credit where credits due

We rubbish we condone, shake our fists, the passion, our team

We wonder, the pressure, looking for the cracks to appear as the season soldiers on

Comments

NRL is the game everyone follows in Queensland. AFL is fairly popular but NRL rules. I don’t really follow it but now that my home town team is in the Grand Final I am definitely going to watch it unless they start to lose then I’ll turn it off in disappointment. I’ve only ever been to two games here because I can’t stand the bogan antics that go on. The first time I went I was struck by how it was like watching gladiators going into the arena. I completely get this post Rae.

Rae, this is why we’re friends: I failed at football, too. Unfortunately, I haven’t passed at any entertainment. The rock concert annoys me because the music is too loud and my ears ring for the next few days. And I usually fail the classical music concert where you’re meant to sit motionless and barely breathing, but it gets too much and I have to shift position and the person behind taps me on the shoulder and tells me to stop moving. So, I stay at home and watch it all on the tele!

I’m right with you on this one, Rae. Like you, I spurn the football culture which all too often plays to the lowest common detonator. Somehow it seems more and more violence is creeping into the game, either between players or spectators, and it’s what the media pounce on and gets shown on television or in newspapers or on the internet. Then this becomes a very strong narrative which too many of our young men and women follow. And afraid to say many of our older generation too.

I agree totally. I lost interest in watching live football many years ago. It seems it’s just a bunch of yobos that attend football matches and I hate that culture. I don’t mind watching a match on TV now again however. 🙂

Hi Rae, due to my family history (die-hard AFL supporters) I do follow the footy. But the last few years I am getting sick of the culture. I don’t really understand why they get paid so much, compared to a teacher, nurse, paramedic, everyday human being. I think also in WA, having only the two teams, the obsession is overwhelming and heightened.I also don’t understand their 3 strikes drug policy either, any other athlete who fails a drug test is immediately thrown out of their competition but not if they play in the AFL. They get 3 chances?!? Considering drink driving and drug offences are crimes-why are we tolerating this? Because the obsession to win a grand final over- rides it all. Ok off my soap box now!!

Ha! I failed at football too Rae. After years of sitting on the sidelines with the other footie girlfriends watching our boyfriends play football on Sundays (he’s now my husband of 40 years), watching my son’s play Junior football, and having football inflicted onto our tv screens all winter I have absolutely no interest in football at all! And now it’s summer, and I have no interest in cricket either! That’s ok, I have plenty of other things to do with my time!
Have a great week Rae, and thanks for stopping by my blog last week. Sorry I am a little slow in replying to yours!

I have always deplored the type of crowd conduct which you describe- in Sydney it used to be found at Rugby League games. It did not occur at Rugby Union games.

I am a former Rugby Union follower. and now a Sydney FC member. In 10 years as a Sydney FC member I have never been embarrassed by the crowd and, as a former referee, I have been pleased with the treatment of the match officials. The opposing team are only booed if there has been a serious foul. I have never heard anyone shouting obscenities.

Don’t judge all “football” by the AFL. You may not like football, but I think you would find a Perth Glory crowd easier to listen to than a Dockers crowd.